West Memphis ‘Dream Team’ lauded for COVID-19 relief effort

City will enjoy more than one million dollars in reimbursed funds

By JOHN RECH

West Memphis Mayor McClendon called them the “Dream Team.” The mayor appointed key administrators to document COVID-19 related expenses and to pursue related grants for reimbursement to the city. The mayor leaned on some of his younger tech savvy leaders to compile expenses and apply for federal and state relief packages.

Included in the team were City engineer Amanda Hicks, Public Works Administrative Assistant Rhonda Standridge, new city Finance Director Torri Perry, City Purchasing agent Kenneth Johnson, and Interim Fire Chief DeWayne Rose.

“I want to commend the dream team,” said McClendon. “We call them the dream team, I’m happy to announce the city, through the federal government, has been awarded $1,030,000 as part of COVID money we will get back. Pretty much everything they bought, they managed it well and turned it in. We are getting that money reimbursed.”

The mayor listed the purchases justified under the COVID Relief Act.

“Trucks, overtime our officers worked under our COVID relief task force, part of Communication Director Nick Coulter’s salary all for our general fund.”

But wait, theirs more. In addition to federal reimbursements, the city applied for relief through the state of Arkansas.

“We are still in the running to get up to $300,000 from the state for COVID relief. That’s going to be great for our general fund. I want to commend those individuals for their hard work in staying on top of

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McCLENDON COVID-19

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this to make sure our city had everything we needed during this COVID time.”

The city had free personal protection gear give away for citizens and out_tted all the city buildings with gear for COVID-19 entry points like thermometers, hand sanitizer and wipes, for citizens as they entered the building. Early in the crisis the city teamed up with health care providers and promoted drive through testing. Mayor McClendon took to social media and became a “viral” media sensation urging everyone to “stay your ass home” during the early days of the pandemic.

The mayor compared the results of the dream team to those in other municipalities. He also lauded the entire city administration for maintaining austere spending during the health crisis.

“Many other cities are struggling,” said McClendon, “tourism and the advertising and promotion tax collections, to sales taxes. But with this administration we have kept our heads above water and I want to thank you all as well.”

McClendon looked at the reality of a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic and urged citizens to remain cautious.

“The COVID-19 pandemic is rising,” said McClendon. “Tuesday we had 1,700 deaths in the country. I want everyone to continue following guidelines, washing your hand frequently, maintaining six-foot social distancing away, avoid large crowds, churches with more than 50 people and other large events. Right now Arkansas is a hot spot. We need to do everything to keep everyone COVID safe.”